Meaning
To feel uncertainty or question something.
Cultural Background
In Japanese companies, 'having a doubt' is often expressed indirectly to maintain 'Kuki o yomu' (reading the air). Instead of saying 'I doubt this,' one might say 'I'd like to confirm one point...' Critical thinking is often taught through the lens of '{疑問|ぎもん}を{持|も}つ}'. Students are encouraged to 'hold doubts' about established theories to foster innovation. News anchors often use this phrase to represent the public's skepticism toward government policies without taking a personal stance. On platforms like X (Twitter), users use the hashtag #疑問 (Gimon) to flag posts or news that seem suspicious or illogical.
Softening the Blow
If you need to use this with a boss, add '{少|すこ}し' (a little) or '{若干|じゃっかん}' (slightly) to make it sound less like a direct attack.
Not for Simple Questions
Never use this when you just didn't hear what someone said. Use 'もう{一度|いちど}{言|い}ってください' instead.
Meaning
To feel uncertainty or question something.
Softening the Blow
If you need to use this with a boss, add '{少|すこ}し' (a little) or '{若干|じゃっかん}' (slightly) to make it sound less like a direct attack.
Not for Simple Questions
Never use this when you just didn't hear what someone said. Use 'もう{一度|いちど}{言|い}ってください' instead.
Writing Essays
This is a 'power phrase' for JLPT N3/N2 essays. It shows you can analyze a topic critically.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct particle and verb form.
{彼|かれ}の{言|い}うこと（ ）{疑問|ぎもん}（ ）{持|も}っています。
The target of doubt is marked with 'ni', and the object 'gimon' is marked with 'o'.
Which situation is the most natural for using '{疑問|ぎもん}を{持|も}つ'?
Choose the best context:
This phrase expresses skepticism or doubt about the truth of something.
Complete the dialogue.
A: {新|あたら}しい{先生|せんせい}の{教|おし}え{方|かた}、どう？ B: うーん、ちょっと（ ）。
B is expressing skepticism about the teacher's method, which fits '{疑問|ぎもん}を{持|も}つ'.
Match the phrase variation to the correct register.
1. {疑問|ぎもん}を{抱|いだ}く / 2. {疑問|ぎもん}を{持|も}つ / 3. {怪|あや}しいと{思|おも}う
'{抱|いだ}く' is literary/formal, '{持|も}つ' is standard, and '{怪|あや}しい' is casual.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Question vs. Doubt
Practice Bank
4 exercises{彼|かれ}の{言|い}うこと（ ）{疑問|ぎもん}（ ）{持|も}っています。
The target of doubt is marked with 'ni', and the object 'gimon' is marked with 'o'.
Choose the best context:
This phrase expresses skepticism or doubt about the truth of something.
A: {新|あたら}しい{先生|せんせい}の{教|おし}え{方|かた}、どう？ B: うーん、ちょっと（ ）。
B is expressing skepticism about the teacher's method, which fits '{疑問|ぎもん}を{持|も}つ'.
1. {疑問|ぎもん}を{抱|いだ}く / 2. {疑問|ぎもん}を{持|も}つ / 3. {怪|あや}しいと{思|おも}う
'{抱|いだ}く' is literary/formal, '{持|も}つ' is standard, and '{怪|あや}しい' is casual.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
5 questionsIt is neutral. To make it polite, say '{疑問|ぎもん}を{持|も}ちます'. To make it very formal, use '{疑問|ぎもん}を{抱|いだ}いております'.
No, that sounds like you are doubting the teacher's lesson. Use '{質問|しつもん}があります'.
'{疑問|ぎもん}' is more intellectual/logical. '{疑|うたが}い' is more emotional/suspicious.
No, that is not a phrase. You might be thinking of '{二|に}の{句|く}が{継|つ}げない' or something else. Stick to '{持|も}つ'.
Use '{疑問|ぎもん}の{余地|よち}がない' (There is no room for doubt) or '{疑問|ぎもん}は持っていません'.
Related Phrases
{疑問|ぎもん}を{抱|いだ}く
similarTo harbor a doubt.
{疑問|ぎもん}を{呈|てい}する
specialized formTo raise/voice a doubt.
{疑|うたが}う
synonymTo doubt/suspect.
{首|くび}をかしげる
similarTo tilt one's head in doubt.
{不信感|ふしんかん}を{抱|いだ}く
builds onTo harbor a sense of distrust.
